Graphite Products

Graphite minerals are found in igneous and metamorphic rocks. Graphite often develops when carbon is exposed to high pressure and temperatures in the earth's crust. Graphite can also be a naturally occurring type of crystalline carbon. Typically, graphite is oily and soft, cleaves easily under little pressure, and has low specific gravity. The hue of this mineral is black or grayish. It can resist extremely hot or cold temperatures and is a great conductor of electricity or heat. Another noteworthy feature is this mineral's ability to be chemically inert or unaffected by various chemicals and acids.

There are significant amounts of graphite in its natural state throughout the planet. Nevertheless, depending on the mineral's source, it is typically categorized into three forms: flake, crystalline, and amorphous. Graphite may be frequently utilized in numerous household products, in everything from tennis rackets to pencils. In addition, its peculiar chemical characteristics and relatively low cost of production make it a good choice as a lubricant for various industrial uses.

Types of Graphite Products

Graphite in Bearings

The purpose of bearings is to lessen friction between two surfaces. Since they are in contact with another moving part, they support a load. Due to its extended service life, self-lubricating properties, and resistance to severe environments, graphite is perfect for bearings.

Vane Construction

Blades are fastened to revolving wheels to push or be propelled by wind or water. Graphite is the ideal material for creating vanes due to its durability, strength, and resistance to water absorption.

Graphite Lubrication Blocks

Where wet lubricants cannot be utilized, lubrication blocks are employed. Most of their applications are in rotating machinery such as trunnion rolls, riding rings, tires, and insert seals. They constantly come into contact with the rolling surface due to their weight, leaving a thin graphite coating behind. The primary reasons graphite is used to lubricate blocks are its resistance to wear and long service life.

Low Porosity Graphite Brushes

Electric motor current is carried through square graphite brushes. They enable a consistent current transfer between commutator segments and protect them from wear. Pitch or resin is used as a binding agent while creating natural or manufactured graphite. Due to their high density and low porosity, graphite brushes won't become contaminated by the environment.

Graphite Anodes in Cathodic Protection Systems

Systems for cathodic protection employ graphite anodes. They function as an electrode in a mercury cell that generates chlorine. An electrical current starts as soon as the anode is put into a mercury pool cathode of an ignitron because the anode is an electron collector. In addition, an electrolytic cell's anodes have a positive polarity, which is where oxidation occurs. Due to its low cost, superior conductivity, and chemical inertness, graphite is the perfect material for cathodic protection.

Nuclear Graphite Cores

Graphite is a core and moderator material in high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactors. A nuclear reactor's graphite blocks are a safety precaution to keep the reactor running. Reactor cores are 1400 tons in weight, 32 feet (10 meters) in height, and 32 feet (10 meters) in diameter. Uranium fuel and control rods are introduced through passageways in the reactor's graphite core. The use of graphite bricks provides a structure for CO2 gas to flow through as it eliminates heat from the fuel, acts as a moderator, and slows down neutrons to assist in maintaining the nuclear reaction. The lifespan of the reactor is dependent on how the graphite matures.

Graphite Fluxing Tubes

To add fluxing gasses and purge hydrogen, aluminum oxide, and other materials from molten aluminum, fluxing tubes are used in aluminum applications for transfer ladles, melting furnaces, and holding furnaces. Thermal stress and corrosion are both resistant to graphite fluxing tubes. They are created by treating different grades of anti-oxidant-treated graphite. Fluxing tubes are available in various diameters or can be specially made to match any application because not all aluminum processing operations are identical.

Graphite Crucibles for Material Melting

To refine precious and base metals, graphite crucibles melt materials at temperatures up to 2912 °F (1600° C). They are utilized in all production processes involving melting and casting. The materials used to create graphite crucibles enable processing of several metals with various melting points. Graphite crucibles come in various shapes to suit the requirements of the process because they are used in various applications.

For example, graphite crucibles are less expensive than copper, platinum, quartz, and porcelain crucibles and are available in barrel, cylinder, and cone shapes. In addition, graphite material can be used in melting furnaces since it is temperature resistant and chemically inert.

Choosing the Right Graphite Products Supplier

To ensure you have the most positive outcome when purchasing graphite products from a graphite products supplier, it is important to compare several companies using our directory of graphite products suppliers. Each graphite products supplier has a business profile page highlighting their areas of experience and capabilities, along with a contact form to directly communicate with the supplier for more information or request a quote. Review each graphite products supplier’s business website using our proprietary website previewer to quickly learn what each company specializes in. Then, use our simple RFQ form to contact multiple graphite products suppliers with the same form.